By Lewis of Orange                                     H.R. No. 871

         75R14299 BNL-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 11, 1997, Texans and indeed all Americans

 1-2     will join in the celebration of Mother's Day, and this provides a

 1-3     fitting opportunity for the members of this chamber to pay tribute

 1-4     not only to our own mothers and wives but to our many colleagues

 1-5     who balance the demands of motherhood with the duties of public

 1-6     office; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Societal changes have continually shaped and changed

 1-8     our ideal of motherhood, and this has been particularly evident

 1-9     over the past half-century; today's mother is just as likely to be

1-10     in the boardroom as in the kitchen, but the essence of motherhood

1-11     has remained unchanged throughout time: to provide the nurturing

1-12     and unconditional love that every child needs in order to grow and

1-13     thrive; and

1-14           WHEREAS, This noble task is not always easy, for mothers are

1-15     often called on to fill many roles at once, tending to a wide array

1-16     of concerns in the home, in the workplace, and in the community;

1-17     the members of this chamber recognize that many of the women in our

1-18     lives, whether they are our mothers, wives, colleagues, or friends,

1-19     have faced the additional challenge of taking on these competing

1-20     roles in the public spotlight that surrounds elected officials; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Nelda Laney, wife of House Speaker Pete Laney, can

1-22     undoubtedly attest to the trials and triumphs of life in the public

1-23     eye, and the grace and dignity with which she has performed her

1-24     duties as the speaker's wife and as the mother of three children

 2-1     have earned her the regard and admiration of all who know her; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, With all due respect to certain members of our armed

 2-3     forces, motherhood can truly be called "the toughest job you'll

 2-4     ever love," for it encompasses a tremendous range of challenges,

 2-5     opportunities, frustrations, and joys, and the ultimate rewards,

 2-6     intangible though they may be, are among the most meaningful and

 2-7     enduring experiences in life; all mothers share a powerful bond in

 2-8     the love that they have for their children, and this love enriches

 2-9     our world beyond measure; now, therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-11     Legislature hereby commemorate Mother's Day 1997 and extend deepest

2-12     thanks and appreciation to all the mothers who have contributed so

2-13     much to the workings of this chamber.